Le Grand Bornand

Le Grand Bornand is often called the mecca for alpine ski, hiking and cycling enthusiasts. In the winter it combines its ski passes with La Clusaz and offers up to 220km of ski area, while the summer sees a wide range of leisure activities such as hiking, paragliding, hot air ballooning and horseback riding. Cycling is also at the heart of the region – with the famous Col de Colombière mountain pass that takes part in the Tour de France, Le Grand Bornand sees a large influx of cycling fanatics.

The local agricultural economy is thriving, with more than 65 active farms operating over 2,400 hectares of agricultural land. This is reflected in the culinary favourites of the region, with restaurants using some of the best locally grown ingredients, including the Reblochon cheese.

The area is known as a family resort. The village is likely to be filled with children and families throughout the year, rather than the younger, après-ski inclined crowd. The village is traffic-free, providing a safer environment and a relaxed and unassuming dynamic.

The experts say

The children’s festival “Bonheur des Mômes” is in its 24th year and includes a collection of theatre shows, music concerts and activities for children. It is the largest of its kind in Europe and reinforces the family appeal of Le Grand Bornand.

The property market in Le Grand Bornand

The year-round popularity of the region is significant and felt throughout the villages. 80% of the 400 chalets in Le Grand Bornand are used as second homes, a familiar statistic for any Alps property in the surrounding regions. Investing in a property for sale in Le Grand Bornand will deliver a high return due to the strong rental market.

The villages offer a variety of properties, from traditional wooden ski chalets for sale to converted farmhouses and to chic modern apartments. Given the popularity of the region and its ideal location, Le Grand Bornand property prices tend to be on the higher side than the average Alpine village; however, they depend on the location and the type of ski property for sale.

The prices tend to be quite high. For example, in the centre of town apartments tend to be priced at around €200,000 for a two bedroom. A five-bedroom wooden mountain chalet can cost up to €1.2m, a price regularly acquired for Alps properties for sale.

How to Get There

By Train

The TGV provides quick access to the village via the Annecy station, which is about 30km away from the village.

By Air

The nearest airport to the region is Geneva airport. It is about a 40-minute drive away from Le Grand Bornand.

Weather

Spring / Summer

The summers are mild in the region, with the average temperature not reaching above 20°C . The spring sees a high amount of rainfall, making the landscape lush and perfect for summer activities.

Fall / Winter

The winters are abundant with snowfall from the end of November to the end of February. The average temperature in the winters is -1°C.